Teeth grinding (bruxism)

Teeth grinding (bruxism)

Teeth grinding (bruxism) is involuntary clenching, grinding and gnashing of the teeth. It is thought that about half of the population bruxes from time to time, while around five per cent are habitual and forceful tooth grinders. It generally happens during sleep, but some people experience it when they are awake. Bruxism can be a physical expression of stress; for example, susceptible people may tend to grind their teeth when they are angry, concentrating hard on a particular task or feeling anxious. Generally, the person doesn’t realise that they grind their teeth in their sleep. The spouse or partner who shares their bed (and hears the grinding noises at night) is often the first to notice the problem.

Signs and symptoms of bruxism include:

Audible grinding sounds while the person is asleep

Headache, jaw joint and/or ear pain

Aching teeth, particularly upon waking

Aching and/or stiffness of the face and temples upon waking

Aching or stiffness in the jaws while chewing, particularly during breakfast

Clenching the jaw when angry, anxious or concentrating

Temperature-sensitive teeth

Cracked or chipped tooth enamel

Tooth indentations on the tongue

Raised tissue on the cheek mucosa caused by cheek biting (linea alba)

Mobile teeth.

Complications of Bruxism

Teeth grinding can cause a range of dental problems, which may include:

Cracked tooth enamel

Excessive wear and tear on the teeth

Broken teeth or restorations

Strain on the joints and soft tissue of the jaw joint (temporo-mandibular joint)

Temporo-mandibular disorder

Tooth loss (rarely)

Enlargement of the jaw muscles (rarely).

Some of the many factors believed to trigger bruxism in susceptible people include:

Emotional stress, such as anger or anxiety

Mental concentration

Physical effort or stress, such as illness, nutritional deficiency or dehydration